Mesoamerica is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse and
culturally complex areas. In this language-oriented course we will
consider the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Mesoamerica
from four different perspectives: (1) A genetic/historical linguistic
perspective: how are the many languages of Mesoamerica related to each
other and how have they influenced each other over the centuries? What
can we learn about them from studying pre-Columbian writing systems?
(2) An areal/typological perspective: what are the most important and
distinctive structural features of these languages? How wide-spread
are these traits? (3) An ethnographic/ethnohistorical perspective: who
speaks these languages and in which social contexts? What have these
languages meant to their speakers? What role did language play in the
conquest and colonization of this region and what role will it play in
the 21st century? (4) A fieldworker’s perspective: in 2006 we will be
working with a native speaker of Totonaco and students will have
weekly hands-on opportunities to investigate the sounds, the grammar
and the vocabulary of this fascinating, little-studied language. This
course has no prerequisites apart from an interest in the peoples and
cultures of Mesoamerica.